Holly had also wanted to stay away from men who only wanted to sleep with as many women as possible. Instinctively, she believed Anderson was not that type of man. But he had still broken Madison’s heart in a way no woman would ever want to go through.
“Why didn’t you simply communicate your feelings to Madison about this up front, instead of leading her to believe you wanted the marriage as much as she did?”
Anderson sighed. It wasn’t easy reliving the past, even with someone he hoped would be part of his future. But he would do whatever it took to get them beyond this.
“The truth is that I thought at the time I did want to marry her,” he said. “But something still didn’t seem right about us tying the knot—be it my ambitious agenda as an attorney, or my immaturity at the time or my feeling that we just weren’t meant to be husband and wife. As far as communicating my feelings goes, I think I did often enough. Only, Madison didn’t always listen.”
Holly knew that not all couples listened to each other when it came to what they wanted and didn’t want in a relationship. And sometimes it came down to one side or the other taking drastic measures to shake up things. In this case, it was Anderson who had made the bold move to walk away from Madison. Can I really fault him for preventing what seemed like a disaster waiting to happen? Holly asked herself.
She gazed at him. “So where do things stand now with you and Madison?”
Anderson stared in response to the question. “We got things out in the open,” he said. “I think she has a better understanding of why I did things the way I did and is ready to put closure to it.”
“I hope so,” Holly said. The last thing she wanted was for Madison to keep this bottled up inside her forever, preventing another man from getting inside the barrier.
Anderson inched closer to Holly. “What about us?”
Holly’s pulse raced at the thought of them together. But there was still the fear that he wasn’t looking for a long-term commitment.
“You tell me,” she responded. “What is it you really want in this relationship?”
“I want you and only you to be my lady, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Those were words that registered with Holly. But could she trust him to stand behind them? Or would opening her heart to him again leave her vulnerable to a letdown?
“I want to believe that,” she said.
He took her hand. “You can,” he said. “I’m not the person I was two years ago. I have a better understanding of what works for me and what I want in a girlfriend.” He kissed her hand. “And that’s you.”
Holly practically melted as much from his heartfelt words as from the power of his touch. Yet she still remained guarded. “Let’s just take it one day at a time and see what happens,” she said.
Anderson smiled. “I can live with that.”
He leaned forward, wanting badly to seal things with a kiss. Tilting his head, Anderson gently put his mouth to Holly’s lips. When she showed no indication of being put off by it, he moved in for a deeper kiss. She reciprocated, widening her mouth and drawing him in.
Holly abandoned any resistance she felt the moment their mouths connected. She was unable to deny how much she missed his kisses, his scent, his closeness and his presence. She wrapped her hands around his head, and they kissed passionately as her libido rose to a fever pitch.
Anderson caressed her tautened nipples, causing an ache between her legs, and she teased his hard erection through his pants. After what seemed like an endless kiss, they took their passion to the bedroom.
Stripping naked, Anderson slipped on a condom and lowered himself onto Holly’s waiting body. He entered her deeply, moaning from the pleasurable tightness surrounding him. Her legs were wrapped high around his back and their bodies began to rock up and down as they made love lustfully.
Holly conquered Anderson’s head, face, chin and finally his mouth with her fervent kisses, slipping her tongue inside his lips. Her back arched off the bed and her breasts heaved as he propelled himself into her time and time again and as she received his mighty thrusts with ecstasy. When her orgasm came, Holly cried out, knowing it was as much music to his ears as it was hers. Her moist body quivered intensely and she rode the sensations as far as they would take her.
Anderson exploded with fire inside Holly. His mind, body and soul worked in unison as Holly brought about this powerful release. His grunts and gasps left him breathless, but he continued to enjoy the moment. Their spent bodies were close together, and the scent of sex filled the air with satisfaction.
Afterward they held each other, content knowing they had overcome a major hurdle.
Chapter 15
On Saturday, Holly left work and headed for a club after Madison asked to meet her there. Holly was happy to hear from her and a little nervous at the same time. Would Madison scold her for not breaking things off with Anderson for good? Or would they agree to disagree on Anderson’s character?
Holly had not quite put Anderson’s failed relationship with Madison behind her, even though she had resumed her own relationship with him. She had no idea where they were headed, but felt she owed it to herself to enjoy the present. Holly also hoped that Madison still wanted to maintain their friendship.
Inside the club, Holly spotted Madison, who was coming toward her.
“Hey, girl,” Holly said, hoping to break the ice right away.
“Hi there,” Madison said. “Glad you could make it.”
Holly smiled. “I was happy to hear from you.”
“I got us a table,” Madison told her.
Holly followed her toward the middle of the club and ordered margaritas.
“First of all, I want to apologize for putting you on the spot last week,” Madison said, smoothing an eyebrow. “I should never have reacted that way with you.”
“No apology necessary,” Holly said sincerely. “Who could blame you for something you didn’t see coming till it was too late?”
“I know, but we’re friends and it certainly wasn’t your fault that you happened to be dating my ex.”
“How are you doing?” Holly wanted to know.
“Better now,” Madison said. “I suppose Anderson told you that we talked.”
Holly nodded. “Yes, he did without going into too much detail, other than that you tried to work out your differences.”
“Something like that.”
The drinks arrived and Madison insisted on paying for them.
Holly tasted her drink, curious to see where things now stood between Madison and Anderson.
Madison sipped the margarita before saying, “It was an interesting conversation. I’ll be honest when I tell you that I carried bitterness with me for a long time and wanted to hate Anderson for calling off our wedding. But you know what? I’ve come to realize that’s not a healthy way to process things. After talking to Anderson, I’m ready to put it behind me and move on with my life.”
“That’s great to hear,” Holly said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never be able to erase the memory of being told by the man you thought you were going to marry that he was calling it off and there wasn’t a damned thing you could do about it.” Madison sighed. “However, I have to face up to the fact that it wasn’t entirely his fault. We did have some issues at the time that I chose to ignore more than he did, I guess. In any event, maybe we just weren’t meant to be, and I have to accept it.”
“I’m really sorry that things didn’t work out for you two,” Holly said.
“Don’t be,” Madison said, licking her lips. “We had our day and there were some good times, but they just didn’t last. I hope it’s different with you.”
“We’re just taking it slow right now.” Holly rested her arms on the table. She didn’t want Madison to think they were already
making wedding plans, since that definitely wasn’t in the cards at this stage.
“Good for you. It’s definitely important that you make sure you’re completely on the same page before getting too caught up in something that doesn’t work out the way it was intended to.”
“I agree,” Holly said. “So do you think Anderson’s incapable of ever settling down with a woman?” Might as well see if the voice of experience believes he’s a losing cause, she thought.
“If you’re asking me if I think he’ll get cold feet before a wedding ever occurs, the honest answer is that I just don’t know. He swears he’s a changed man. I could say a zebra never changes it stripes, but maybe this one has. That will be for you to establish if that’s where your relationship is headed.”
“I’d love to get married someday,” Holly admitted. “And, yes, I could see Anderson as a husband. But since I’m not sure he will ever see himself that way, I think it’s best not to look that far ahead and just enjoy each other’s company right now.”
“Probably a smart way to look at it,” Madison said.
“And what about you? Are you back in the market for a man?” Holly asked hopefully.
Madison chuckled. “Yes, I am. But I’m not holding my breath waiting.”
“Hey, there are a lot of good men in Houston,” Holly said.
“I don’t doubt it, even if they have been hard to come by in my life. Must be I’m looking in all the wrong places.”
“So start checking out the right places,” Holly told her.
Madison laughed. “I hope to do that with a fresh start. I’m moving...”
“Moving?” Holly’s eyes widened.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. This seems as good a time as any to put my bad memories in Houston behind me and go somewhere else.”
“But where will you go?” Holly paid for a second round of drinks as she considered where Madison might move. “Dallas? San Antonio?”
“I’m moving to Portland,” Madison said.
“Portland, Oregon? Of all places?”
Madison nodded. “I was offered a job there as a senior book reviewer for an upscale magazine with a strong internet presence. So I said, hey, why not?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Holly said. “You will love the Rose City, as Portland is called, with all its nature.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Madison said.
“And the city is known for its popularity with bicyclists, so you’ll fit right in.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I’m sure my brother would be happy to show you around,” Holly said.
Madison smiled. “I’d like that.”
Holly was already imagining the two of them hitting it off. Though she recalled Madison saying she wasn’t very good with children, Holly believed she would warm up to Carrie and Dottie in a hurry.
“That would also give me another reason to visit Portland,” Holly added.
“Come any time you like,” Madison told her. “For the time being, you’ll have to put up with me being your friend and neighbor in Houston. Hope you don’t feel it’s too awkward with us continuing to hang out.”
“I don’t,” Holly assured her. “We’re friends and nothing has to change.”
“Good. If Anderson has a problem with it, that’s for him to deal with,” Madison said.
Holly laughed. “I feel the same way.” She didn’t think it would be an issue with him anyway.
Her thoughts turned to the romance she had with Anderson. Lately, it had been hotter than ever, full of sweet whispers of love to one another. Was that an indication that they might eventually have the type of lasting relationship that had fallen short between him and Madison?
Or was she merely deluding herself into seeing more than what was actually there?
* * *
Anderson was at the gym working out with Lester. He had brought his friend up to date on where things stood with Madison and Holly. As far as Anderson was concerned, he had dodged a bullet or two with the whole situation.
“Well, it looks like things just might work out for you after all, buddy,” Lester said, as he lifted weights.
“That’s the hope,” Anderson said.
“Just think if you had reached out to Madison way back when, you could have saved yourself a lot of grief.”
“Something tells me that Madison wasn’t in any mood to talk about things before now,” Anderson said, wiping his brow. “And, frankly, neither was I. We both had some growing up to do, maybe me more than her.”
“I agree,” Lester said. “So now you’re all grown up and you’ve turned your attention to Holly.”
“Yeah, I have.” The thought of the last time they made love hit Anderson, causing him to check the unbridled desire he had for Holly. Now that they were back on track, he couldn’t imagine not having her as an integral part of his life.
Lester looked up at him. “And how do you plan to handle things this time around?”
“Meaning...?”
“You love her, right?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“I assume from all the sparks flying between you two that the feeling is mutual?”
Anderson nodded. “She’s told me as much on more than one occasion.”
“So the question that begs to be answered is when do you plan to put a ring on her finger? And don’t tell me the thought has never entered your mind.”
A half grin played on Anderson’s lips. How could he not have considered marrying Holly? Especially given the way he felt about her. She would make the perfect wife for him. But was this the right time to go there? Or would it be a mistake to make his move too soon?
“I’ve thought about it,” he said.
“And what did you come up with?” Lester asked eagerly.
Anderson sighed. “I want Holly to be my wife,” he stressed. “However, bringing that up this soon to when she found out about my mishap with Madison sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I’d rather put some distance there and prove to Holly just how much she means to me before popping the question.”
“Hmm...yeah, I suppose that makes sense.” Lester did some stretching. “As long as you don’t wait too long to make your move.”
“I don’t intend to,” Anderson said.
“Good, because women won’t wait forever to get a ring. Take it from someone who knows from experience—twice. In the case of Holly, the last thing she wants is to have reason to believe that you’ll always have cold feet. It could cause her to pull away and look elsewhere.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Anderson insisted, running a towel across his perspiring head and face. “She means too much to me to let her get away.”
“That’s what I want to hear,” Lester said. “Besides, since you were once my best man, I’ve been waiting ever since for a little quid pro quo.”
Anderson smiled. “When it happens, you can count on being my best man.”
Lester smiled. “Cool.”
Anderson shook his friend’s hand and headed for the shower. The thought of redeeming himself with a second marriage proposal was still on his mind, and he wondered if Holly would ever agree to be his bride.
Chapter 16
In early November, Holly spent the night at Anderson’s place, basking in the intensity of their lovemaking and the connection that kept them in sync every step of the way. They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms in the wee hours of the morning, which was the last thing Holly remembered before hearing the words “Wake up, sleepyhead—”
She opened her eyes and saw Anderson standing there with a tray in his hands. “What’s this?” she asked, adjusting her eyes to the daylight.
“It’s called breakfast in bed,” he said,
grinning. “Waffles with real maple syrup, bacon, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee.”
“You didn’t have to...” she began.
“I was happy to serve my beautiful lady. Especially when she looks sexy as hell in a nightshirt in my bed.” Anderson checked his libido, feeling that now was not the time to jump her bones, appealing as they were. He set the tray on her lap.
“Why, thank you.” Holly could barely remember putting on the nightshirt. She had been naked, as was he, when they went to bed. She inhaled the scent of food. “Smells good.”
“It will taste even better,” he promised. “I’ll even feed you, if you like.”
She smiled, tempted. “That’s so sweet, but I’ll try it on my own first.” She grabbed a slice of bacon and bit off a piece, then held it up to his mouth. “I don’t mind feeding you, though.”
Anderson bit into the bacon. “And I don’t mind your doing it either.” He loved looking at her in the morning, noon or night, as she was always a gorgeous sight. “But I’d rather watch you eat.”
“Where’s your food?” she asked.
“I already finished it while you were sound asleep. I chose not to disturb your snoozing.”
“How thoughtful of you.” She sliced into the waffle, wondering how she got so lucky.
“What can I say, you bring out the best in me,” he said, smiling.
“Or worst,” she said naughtily, remembering their red-hot sex in the night.
Anderson read her mind. “That too.” Fresh thoughts tickled his libido. “Maybe after breakfast, we can—”
Holly licked her lips invitingly. “I don’t see why not.” She wondered if there would ever come a day when she could get enough of him.
* * *
A week later, Holly talked Anderson into going bike riding with her. She considered it a triumph to get him out of the gym for some outdoor exercise.
“Are you sure you can keep up with me?” she teased him.
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